How to Treat a Sunburn: Do’s and Don’ts

It’s that time of year—pool parties, barbecues, and other fun activities in the great outdoors. But what do you do if you get a sunburn?

What to Do

1. Reduce your skin’s temperature to help reduce inflammation. If the burn is over a large area, this may mean taking a cool bath or shower, and if it only affects a small area, you can use a cold compress (e.g., a wet towel or washcloth).
2. Moisturize your skin while it is still wet, and apply a moisturizing cream or lotion frequently in the first few days after the burn to keep dryness at bay. (Avoid moisturizing skin that isn’t cool, or you’ll trap in heat and cause more pain and inflammation.)
3. Apply a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone cream if you need relief from itchy skin.
4. For pain relief, apply aloe vera gel. For additional relief, you can take something for inflammation (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin).
5. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and sports drinks can also help replenish electrolytes. Sunburns draw fluids away from other areas of the body, which can quickly cause dehydration.
6. Call your doctor if you have blisters over a large area, you’re in a lot of pain, or you’ve developed a fever, chills, dizziness, or confusion. Sometimes medical attention is needed and home remedies won’t work.

What Not to Do

1. Avoid ointments and petroleum jelly, which can trap heat, and avoid topical treatments ending in “-caine” (e.g., benzocaine and lidocaine), which can cause allergic reactions. Also be sure to avoid creams including alcohol, which can be drying and make it harder for the skin to heal.
2. Don’t touch those sunburn blisters, and let them heal on their own to prevent infection and scarring.

Sunburn Prevention Tips

To minimize your chances of getting a sunburn, find shade. You can also carry your shade with you—keep a hat in your car or bag, and wear one any time you’re out in the sun. The best choice would be one with a wide brim (two to three inches wide) made of tightly woven fabric.

You could also consider keeping protective clothing with you. Some shirts have sun protection (Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or UPF) in them. You can also wash clothing you already own in a treatment designed to boost their natural UPF from UPF 5 to UPF 30. This treatment can typically be found at your local pharmacy or online, and is simply added to your normal laundry cycle. It lasts for about 20 washes.

Finally, make sure to apply sunscreen every day, and reapply throughout the day (about every 90 minutes, or sooner if you’ve been in the water).